Montreal

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Montreal — With a population of 1.6 million, Montréal is the world's second largest French-speaking city after Paris. It’s a captivating mélange of old-world charm infused with the up-to-the-minute energy of North America's most modern cities. Set on the St. Lawrence River, this Canadian metropolis comprises an easily accessible patchwork of neighborhoods, each with its own unique joie de vivre. Visitors can still get their fix of Old World Europe (think small cafes, monument-filled plazas, and basilicas) without crossing the Atlantic, but a clutch of trendy new hotels, restaurants, shops, and clubs are the latest indication that this city will never become a stodgy artifact of past triumphs.

Why Go

For a taste of France sans the euro and transatlantic flight. Plus, a vibrant art scene and raucous nightlife.